US beats Matildas 3-1 in World Cup opener

The Matildas have put in a strong performance before losing 3-1 to the United States in their opening match of the Women's World Cup in Winnipeg.

The Australians dominated the first half and could have had a number of goals early in the match, with US goalkeeper Hope Solo forced to produce a string of big saves.

She tipped a blast from Emily van Egmond onto the bar in the fifth minute, and the Matildas continued to press the Americans hard.

However the US - who won the World Cup in 1991 and 1999 - grabbed the lead in the 12th minute, when a shot from Megan Rapinoe took a wicked deflection past Melissa Barbieri into the Australian net.

Forward Samantha Kerr had an almost immediate chance to equalise, but her volley was blazed just over the bar from inside the box.

In the end, the Australians scored a deserved goal in the 27th minute, when co-captain Lisa de Vanna produced a sharp left-foot finish to beat Solo into the bottom right corner.

It remained 1-1 at the break, and the US began to take the momentum as the second half wore on.

Christen Press scored the go-ahead goal in the 61st minute, and although the Australians fought hard to get on level terms, the Americans made sure of the three points with 12 minutes left when Rapinoe took possession near halfway and beat a number of Matildas players before cutting inside and sweeping the ball home past Barbieri into the far corner of the net.

In the earlier Group D match, Nigeria and Sweden drew 3-3 in Winnipeg.

Australia's next match will be on June 13 (AEST) when the Matildas take on Nigeria, also in Winnipeg.